(4/19/99)
"I bear witness to you that those who hold the apostolic calling may, and do, know of the reality of the mission of the Lord. To know is to be born and quickened in the inner man." — Harold B. Lee, "Stand Ye In Holy Places," p.65

(7/22/99)
"Why does God, if He truly loves his children, permit Satan to tempt us and thereby jeopardize our chances to gain the experiences of mortality and return back to enjoy eternal life in His presence? The answer is given by a great prophet-teacher: 'Wherefore, the Lord God gave unto man that he should act for himself. Wherefore, man could not act for himself save it should be that he was enticed by the one [which is evil] or the other [which is good]' (2 Nephi 2:16). You think about that for a moment. If there were no opposition to good, would there be any chance to exercise your agency or right to choose? To deny you that privilege would be to deny you the opportunity to grow in knowledge, experience, and power. God has given laws with penalties affixed so that man might be made afraid of sin and guided into paths of truth and duty (see Alma 42:20)." — "The Teachings of Harold B. Lee"

(12/22/99)
"If you want to know what the Lord would have the Saints know and to have his guidance and direction for the next six months, get a copy of the proceedings of ... conference, and you will have the latest word of the Lord as far as the Saints are concerned." — "Closing Remarks," General Conference, October 1973

(12/23/99)
"If there is any one thing most needed in this time of tumult and frustration, when men and women and youth and young adults are desperately seeking for answers to the problems which afflict mankind, it is an 'iron rod' as a safe guide along the straight path on the way to eternal life, amidst the strange and devious roadways that would eventually lead to destruction and to the ruin of all that is 'virtuous, lovely, or of good report.'" — "The Iron Rod," General Conference, April 1971

(12/24/99)
"When we become conscious of the fact that there is no time limit upon the saving principles and powers of the Gospel but that they may be drawn upon to meet the problems of today and tomorrow, as well as of the Hereafter, we will then become the people who will be the light of the world." — "Conference Report," October 1941, p. 110

(12/25/99)
"And so today there is no shadow of doubting in my mind that I know the reality of the person who is presiding over this church, our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ. I know that He is closer to us than many times we have any idea. He and the Father are not an absentee Lord and Father. They are concerned about us, helping to prepare us for the advent of the Savior, whose coming certainly isn't too far away because of the signs that are becoming apparent." — "Stand Ye In Holy Places," p.189-190

(12/26/99)
"The ultimate decisions concerning our lives on this earth are not ours but are His. God is not through with this earth and with us yet. This earth and ourselves are not going to be wiped off in a moment until God is ready and all His purposes have been realized. So we must strive for a degree in the 'University of Spirituality,' as we seek for advance degrees in secular fields." — "BYU Speeches," May 4, 1965, p. 6

(12/27/99)
"May the Lord put within each of us the determination to put our lives in order, to the end that we too may know with a 'certainty that succeeds doubt' that God does live, and that through the glorious mission of our Lord and Savior, we too can live again in that realm where God and Christ dwell -- to obtain which is to attain eternal life." — "Conference Report," April 1969, p. 133

(12/28/99)
"There are sure guides to truth if church members will use them. The Church is a continuing revolution against any and all norms of society that fall below the gospel standards. Within the gospel of Jesus Christ may be found the solution to every problem confronting us that will enable us to find happiness here and eternal life in the world to come." — "Conference Report," April 1966, p. 64

(1/17/02)
"I realize that in the face of violence, immorality, uncleanliness, war, and other evils of modern life, there may be a tendency to become discouraged. I say to you, my young brothers and sisters, don't give up! The gospel of Jesus Christ has answers to all these problems, and you have the responsibility and charge to stand firm; so enjoy your youth, but 'put on the whole armour of God' and resist those things of the world that will destroy your testimony and your chance to accomplish a great work here. " — Harold B. Lee, 
"Message from the First Presidency," Ensign, Jan. 1971, p. 2

(10/20/02)
"But now may I call your attention to one significant fact concerning the armor with which you now have been clothed. You have no armor whatsoever to protect you from the rear. Does this suggest yet another quality essential to this eternal conflict with 'spiritual wickedness in high places'? Evidently no one can win this battle running from the enemy. The contest must be face to face. There must be no retreat. So came the clear-ringing counsel of the First Presidency to our boys during the last World War: 'Boys, keep yourselves clean! Better die clean than to come home unclean.' Courage and determination and continual aggressiveness to the right are the essential qualities for the battle of life, else all the armor in the world suggested for our protection would be of no avail. Thus equipped within and without, we are now ready." — Harold B. Lee, "Stand Ye In Holy Places," pp. 332-333

(3/9/03)
"Great reservoirs of spiritual water, called scriptures, have been provided in this day and have been safeguarded that all might partake and be spiritually fed, and that they thirst not. That these scriptures have been considered of great importance, is indicated by the words of the Savior, 'Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me' (John 5:39); and the experience of the Nephites being sent back to procure the brass plates which contained the scriptures so vital to the welfare of the people. The use of those scriptures was suggested in the statement of Nephi when he said, '...for I did liken all scriptures unto us, that it might be for our profit and learning.' (1 Nephi 19:23)" — Harold B. Lee, "Conference Report," October 1943, p. 101

(3/12/03)
"So important in the Father's plan of salvation are the scriptures that incidents are recorded wherein God commanded the taking of life to obtain possession of precious writings without which His children would stumble and be blinded by the darkness of the world, but with which they could be likened to the people of the scriptures for their profit and learning." — Harold B. Lee, "The Teachings of Harold B. Lee," edited by Clyde J. Williams [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1996], p. 152

(3/23/03)
"Next to life itself, free agency is God's greatest gift to mankind, providing thereby the greatest opportunity for the children of God to advance in this second estate of mortality." — Harold B. Lee, "Stand Ye in Holy Places," [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1974], p. 235

(4/1/03)
"The fact that you are here in this mortal existence is an evidence that you accepted our Heavenly Father's plan and entered into covenant with Him to keep His commandments in return for which you were to be given a glorified place in His kingdom. One-third of all those in the spirit world before you came to this earth were cast out because they refused the gift of this education in the 'University of Mortality' on the terms provided. They are the tempters who, like yourselves, have their free agency and are endeavoring to persuade you to 'eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die' (2 Nephi 28:7) and thus be miserable like themselves. Whatever may be the ratio of evil spirits to every human soul one thing is certain, that the power of temptation is great." — Harold B. Lee, "The Teachings of Harold B. Lee," edited by Clyde J. Williams [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1996], p. 43

(5/12/03)
"Just as a university course is limited as to time,... so our days here in mortal life are limited to an average normal span of years.... You are building today the castles you will live in throughout eternity and deciding the place you will occupy in your Father's business hereafter. There is joy in heaven when you who are failing reform your ways and return to a standard of activity that assures your success. There will be mourning in heaven if you fail in life's education, but there is nothing your Heavenly Father can do about it unless you open the door by prayer and the living of a good life and invite him to counsel with you." — Harold B. Lee, "Decisions for Successful Living," [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1973], p. 86

(5/23/03)
"Opposed to God's plan of eternal happiness for every human soul is Satan's plan that ends in remorse and awful remembrance of all our guilt in that day of judgment." — Harold B. Lee, "Decisions for Successful Living," [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1973], p. 153-154

(7/6/03)
"Since the resurrection of the Savior on the first day of the week, this day has been commemorated as the Lord's day, or the one day in seven on which man should rest from his labors. But Sunday is more than a day of rest from the ordinary occupations of the week. It is not to be considered as merely a day of lazy indolence and idleness or for physical pleasures and indulgences. It is a feastday for your spirit bodies. The place of spiritual feasting is in the house of worship. Here you find fellowship with those who like yourselves are seeking spiritual nourishment. You are enjoined to sing and pray and pay your devotions to the Most High, and partake of the holy sacrament as a reminder of your obligations as a son or daughter of God here in mortality and in remembrance of the atonement of the Savior and to pledge again your loyalty to his name." -- Harold B. Lee, "Decisions for Successful Living," [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1973], p. 146

(7/25/03)
"If we fail to teach chastity, we will reduce the number of temple marriages, and if we reduce the number of temple marriages, we will reduce the number of truly Latter-day Saint homes. Of course, we realize that simply going to the temple without proper preparation in every way does not bring the blessings we seek. Eternal marriage rests on a maturity and commitment that—with the endowment and ordinances—can open the gates of heaven for many blessings to flow to us.

"To help our youth abide by the principles involved in temple marriage, we must help them to understand that temple marriage is more than just a place where the ceremony occurs; it is a whole orientation to life and marriage and home. It is a culmination of building attitudes toward the Church, chastity, and about our personal relationship with God—and many other things. Thus, simply preaching temple marriage is not enough. Our family home evenings, seminaries, institutes, and auxiliaries must build toward this goal, not by exhortation alone but by showing that the beliefs and attitudes involved in temple marriage are those which can bring the kind of life here and in eternity that most humans really want for themselves. Properly done, we can show the difference between the 'holy and the profane' so that the powerful, natural instincts of motherhood are decisive in the young woman who wavers between those holy instincts and the path of pleasure-seeking. With real judgment and combined curricular effort, we can show the young man that the way of the world—however much it gets glamorized and regardless of how clever its Casanovas appear—is the way of sadness; it is the way which will finally frustrate those deep inner yearnings he has for hearth and home and the joys of fatherhood.

"We will need to show the way to temple marriage with enough honest and plain speaking so that when our youth are persuaded, they can outlast those circumstances they may be in, such as being away at college or in the military, which do not offer them eligible partners; they will know that temple marriage is worth waiting for!" — "Teachings of Harold B. Lee," p. 244

(8/16/03)
"I read something a while ago that started me thinking along this line. It was that when a man leans to his own understanding and boasts by his own strength—­when he boasts of probing the mysteries of the atom or the depth of the sea or the secrets of outer space—­he forgets God and claims he is his own master, [and] the result is untold suffering. Even though one's position is maintained, even though material wealth increases, a success quickly turns to failure when God has been forgotten. There is no peace of mind, no personal satisfaction of inward joy. To 'trust in the Lord with all thine heart' (Proverbs 3:5) is a mark of strength and is the only path to happiness, success, and true fulfillment." — "The Teachings of Harold B. Lee," Edited by Clyde J. Williams, [Salt Lake City, Utah: Bookcraft, 1996], p. 620

(9/30/03)
"In the Old Testament the Prophet Amos, you remember, said, 'Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.' (Amos 3:7.) I wish you would remember that. That is just as true today as it was then, but it has been restated today. Keep your eye fixed upon the prophet of your dispensation, for God is not going to do anything except He reveals it through the prophet whom He appoints in your day and mine." - Harold B. Lee, "Be Ye Not Deceived," "BYU Speeches of the Year," 1965, p. 6

(10/12/03)
"When the full measure of Elijah's mission is understood-­that the hearts of the children will be turned to the fathers, and the fathers to the children-­it applies just as much on this side of the veil as it does to the other side of the veil (see Malachi 4:5-6). If we neglect our families here in having family home night and we fail in our responsibility here, how would heaven look if we lost some of those through our own neglect? Heaven would not be heaven until we have done everything we can to save those whom the Lord has sent through our lineage. So, the hearts of you fathers and mothers must be turned to your children right now, if you have the true Spirit of Elijah, and not think that it applies merely to those who are beyond the veil. Let your hearts be turned to your children, and teach your children; but you must do it when they are young enough to be schooled. And if you are neglecting your family home evening, you are neglecting the beginning of the mission of Elijah just as certainly as if you were neglecting your research work of genealogy." - "Teachings of Harold B. Lee," p. 281

(11/29/03)
"You will note that this statement makes no distinction as to whether it be labeled as religion, philosophy, science, or politics, or ugly dress patterns of today, or of the world of so-called entertainment." - Harold B. Lee, "General Conference Reports," October 1968, p. 60

(9/5/04)
"Ye are the light of the world; a city set upon a hill" (see Matt. 5:14). What does that mean? Well, a commentary on this scripture says: 'The disciples are to be the light of the world, being the representatives of Him who is the world's true Light. They are to enlighten it as its teachers, and also by the examples of their lives. They are contemplated not as individuals but as a visible society, or Church. The old city set on a hill was Jerusalem. This was shortly to be trodden under the foot of men as having lost its savour.' (J. R. Dummelow, ed., A Commentary on the Holy Bible [New York: Macmillan, 1936], p. 641.)

"Just so today, any Latter-day Saint in Church circles, in military service, in social life, or in the business community is looked upon not just as an individual, but as the visible Church today. Someone has said: 'Be careful how you act, because you may be the only standard Church work some people may ever read.'"

"The Teachings of Harold B. Lee," edited by Clyde J. Williams [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1996], p. 588

(10/3/04)
"It was the Master who replied in answer to the question as to how one might know of him and his doctrine: 'If any man will do his will, he shall know.' (John 7:17.) Would you think an authority on science to be one who had never experimented in a laboratory? Would you give much heed to the comments of a music critic who did not know music or an art critic who didn't paint? Just so, one like yourself who would 'know God' must be one who does his will and keeps his commandments and practices the virtues Jesus lived?" - Harold B. Lee, "Decisions for Successful Living," [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1973], p. 39-40

(10/31/04)
"Well might we ponder the source which could be ours if we keep ourselves worthy. [The source of which I speak is] our Lord and Master ([He was] my consolation on a night over thirty years ago when I faced the greatest challenge of my life). 'For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help [us] in [our] time of need.' (Hebrews 4:15-16.) Those timeless words should be written upon the tablets of our hearts: to likewise give us courage to withstand in our time of need." - Harold B. Lee, "The Teachings of Harold B. Lee," edited by Clyde J. Williams [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1996], p. 190

(11/10/04)
"Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins, the only means by which man can accept the gospel, as an earthly ordinance, and so in the Plan of Salvation, our Father, with equal consideration for all his children, has provided a way for all members of his Church and Kingdom on the earth to be 'saviors on Mt. Zion' by performing a vicarious work in behalf of those in the world of spirits, 'the prison house,' that they could not perform for themselves. This work for the dead performed in holy temples by members of the Church does in reality make of them who do this work 'saviors' to those who have died without a knowledge of the gospel, for thereby they may claim the complete gift of the Savior promised to all mankind through his atonement. Reference to that service that may be rendered for those in the spirit world, as it was undoubtedly being performed by the saints in the days of the Apostle Paul and which we can now perform for our own dead, was given by him as an argument in proof of the resurrection. Said he: "Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?" (I Corinthians 15:29.) Temples in this day have been built in which this work so essential to the work of salvation might again be performed." - Harold B. Lee, "Decisions for Successful Living" [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1973], p. 118-119

(11/25/04)
"In order that the young, vigorous and inquiring minds of youth in all ages might have a standard and an unfailing guide by which to measure all learning and thus be able to sift the golden kernels of truth from the chaff of delusion and untruth, we have had the scriptures from the beginning which were given 'by inspiration of God, and (are) profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.' (2 Tim. 3:16-17.) So the Master counseled us to search the scriptures, for in them we would find the way to eternal life, for they testify of the way men must travel to gain eternal life with him and with 'the Father which hath sent (him).' (John 5:30.)" - Harold B. Lee, "Decisions for Successful Living" [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1973], pp. 189-190

(12/27/04)
"If there is any one thing most needed in this time of tumult and frustration, when men and women and youth and young adults are desperately seeking for answers to the problems which afflict mankind, it is an 'iron rod' as a safe guide along the straight path on the way to eternal life, amidst the strange and devious roadways that would eventually lead to destruction and to the ruin of all that is 'virtuous, lovely, or of good report.'" - Harold B. Lee, "The Iron Rod," Ensign, June 1971, p. 7

(1/11/05)
"Brethren of the priesthood, in your own circle, in your own home, in your own lives, you must do all you can of your own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness. Our job and your job, my job, is to look after the man behind the one in front of you. That is a little difficult for some people to figure out. And when you find out that one, and put him in line, then you are prepared to go out and search for the other ones. I pray that the Lord may help you to find out that one and put him in line, then you are prepared to go [for] others round about you, and we will be on our way to a glorious future." - Harold B. Lee, "Today's Young People," Ensign, June 1971, p. 62

(1/31/05)
"There comes back to us more clearly than ever before the application of the words of the Master as he closed his Sermon on the Mount, that only that person or that church (meaning a congregation of individuals, of course) which will stand through these testing years, will be that which is founded upon the rock, as the Master declared, by hearing and obeying the fundamental and never-changing principles upon which the true church is founded, when the winds of delusion blow, or when the floods of filth and wickedness engulf us, or when the rains of criticism or derision are rained down upon those who are holding fast to the truth." - Harold B. Lee, "Watch, That Ye May Be Ready," Ensign, Dec. 1971, pp. 29-30

6/20/06
"But do not suppose that a strict observance of the law of the Sabbath is alone sufficient to keep your spiritual bodies in good health. Every day of the week must give nourishment to your spiritual selves. Family and secret prayers, the reading of the scriptures, love in your homes and unselfish daily service to others are manna from heaven to feed your souls. Observance of the weekly Family Home Evening is another strong force for righteousness in the home." - "Teachings Of Presidents Of The Church: Harold B. Lee," p.175

8/13/06
"Not many have seen the Savior face to face here in mortality, but there is no one of us who has been blessed to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost after baptism but that may have a perfect assurance of His existence as though we had seen. Indeed, if we have faith in the reality of His existence even though we have not seen, as the Master implied in His statement to Thomas, even greater is the blessing to those who 'have not seen, and yet have believed' (John 20:29), for 'we walk by faith, not by sight' (2 Corinthians 5:7). Although not seeing, yet believing, we rejoice with joy unspeakable in receiving the end of our faith, even the salvation of our souls (see 1 Peter 1:8-9)." - "Teachings Of Presidents Of The Church: Harold B. Lee," p.37

9/29/06
"If you want to know what the Lord has for this people at the present time, I would admonish you to get and read the discourses that have been delivered at this conference; for what these brethren have spoken by the power of the Holy Ghost is the mind of the Lord, the will of the Lord, the voice of the Lord, and the power of God unto salvation. I am sure all who have listened, if they have been in tune, have felt the sincerity and the deep conviction from those who have spoken so appropriately and so effectively." - Harold B. Lee, "Stand Ye in Holy Places," Ensign (CR), July 1973, p.121

1/25/07
"The Lord has told us, 'Behold, there are many called, but few are chosen' (D&C 121:34), and then in the same revelation points out two reasons why men fail of their blessings. The first reason he gives is that their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and the second is that they aspire so much to the honors of men. So then as Church members let us beware lest we set our hearts upon the things of this world and lest we aspire so much to the honors of men that we compromise our standards. If we do so, we will be cut off in the Day of Judgment and will lose our blessings. Our reward for daring to live the gospel despite the oppositions from the outside world will be to have blessings added upon our heads forever and forever." - Harold B. Lee, "The Teachings of Harold B. Lee," edited by Clyde J. Williams, p.167

1/30/07
"Lets face it. All of us have done something that we ought not to have done, or we have neglected to do things we should have done. All of us then have made mistakes, and every one of us needs to repent. The old devil would have you believe that if you have made one mistake, why don't you just keep on making mistakes? That is Satan trying to tell you that there is no chance to come back. But you must turn your face towards the rising sun, and through repentance turn from the thing you have done that is wrong and never go back again thereto. The Lord said, 'Go [thy way] and sin no more; but unto that soul who sinneth [meaning again] shall the former sins return, saith the Lord your God' (D&C 82:7)." - "Teachings Of Presidents Of The Church: Harold B. Lee," p.27

2/5/07
"I bear you my witness in all humility that if your children and my children, our grandchildren, and our great-grandchildren remain faithful to this church, it will be because you and I remained steadfast in the testimony that these men [the First Presidency and the Twelve] are the prophets of the living God and that we must follow their counsel if we would be saved in the days of peril. Therefore, 'stand ye in holy places, and be not moved' (D&C 87:8), that we might abide the day of the coming of the Son of Man and be caught up in the clouds of heaven to meet our Redeemer when He comes on earth to reign, and reign with Him a thousand years with our children and the redeemed of our Father's house. - Harold B. Lee, "The Teachings of Harold B. Lee," edited by Clyde J. Williams, p.521

4/4/07
"This year is again a most important year of decision for our day. Some have even said that this is the most critical period in the history of this nation and of the world.

"I believe it is an illusion to say that this is the most critical, decisive time. Write it upon the hearts of all of us that every dispensation has been just as decisive, and likewise that every year has been the most decisive year and time for ourselves, for this nation, and for the world. This is our day and time when honorable men must be brought forward to meet the tremendous challenges before us." - Harold B. Lee, "A Time of Decision," Ensign (CR), July 1972, p.29

7/16/07
"A few years ago a prominent university professor joined the Church. When I asked him to speak before a group of New York businessmen and to explain why he had joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he said to these men, 'I'll tell you why I joined this church. I came to a time in my life when my heart told me things that my mind did not know. Then it was that I knew the gospel was true.'
      
"When we understand more than we know with our minds, when we understand with our hearts, then we know that the Spirit of the Lord is working upon us." - Harold B. Lee, "Stand Ye in Holy Places," p. 92